Effectiveness of pain education on pain, disability, quality of life and self-efficacy in chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundLow back pain is one of the most common causes of pain-related disability worldwide. There are growing recommendations to use psychological approaches in the management of chronic low back pain. Pain education intervention is one such psychological approach aiming at re-conceptualizing pain beliefs and easing the pain threat value. This randomized controlled trial aimed to gain an understanding of the effectiveness of pain education on pain levels, disability, quality of life, and self-efficacy in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP). MethodsA two-arm parallel randomized trial was conducted recruiting 92 participants with CLBP, who were randomly allocated to either standard physiotherapy care with the pain education program, or the control group, and both groups received 6 weeks of intervention. Pain intensity (using NPRS), disability (using RMDQ), self-efficacy (using general self-efficacy scale), and wellbeing (using WHO 5I) were assessed before, and 6 weeks after the study intervention. FindingsThe post-intervention scores comparison between the groups showed that the pain education intervention reduced disability compared to the usual standard care at 6 weeks (mean difference 8.2, p < 0.001, effect size {eta}2 = 0.75), the pain intensity (mean difference 3.5, p < 0.001, effect size {eta}2 = 0.82) and improved the wellbeing index (mean difference 13.7, p < 0.001, effect size {eta}2 = 0.58). ConclusionThe findings suggested that pain education program enhance the therapeutic benefits of usual standard physiotherapy care among participants with chronic LBP. We conclude that pain education seems to have clinical benefits when delivered along with standard care physiotherapy during the management of chronic low back pain. CTRI registration codeCTRI/2021/08/035963